Tatomer 'Kick On Ranch - Clone 239' Riesling, Santa Barbara Co, California 2019

Tatomer 'Kick On Clone 239' Riesling, Santa Barbara Co, California 2019

Somewhat under the radar, Graham Tatomer’s wines are some of California’s best for Riesling and Gruner Veltliner. Somms like Cara and Simi have often been duped into calling these wines Austrian in blind tastings because Graham’s handle on nuance and terroir is deep. 

Winemaker: Graham Tatomer

Farming: Sustainable with Organic Practices

Varieties: 100% Riesling

Terroir: Geisenheim clone 239 from Kick-on Ranch (Santa Barbara County AVA). Betteravia sandy loam soils, Southwest facing hillside

Vinification: Fermented and aged in stainless steel. No malolactic fermentation. Dry (4g/L)

Tasting Notes: Austere, finessed and impactful on the palate, this racy Riesling buzzes with floral, minerally and fresh & fruity aromatics. Zippy and light on the palate, this wine is a serious Riesling that can be enjoyed now or held and aged. 

Critical Acclaim: Vinous 94, Wine Enthusiast 93

Graham's love affair with wine began in high school, with a gig at Santa Barbara Winery. At first, it was just about the money; but over time, Graham was introduced to the Lafond Winery and its vineyard, home to the oldest Riesling plantings in the Central Coast. He quickly fell in love and decided to take himself abroad to learn more. 

A harvest internship in 2003 was the beginning of a four-year engagement with the Austrian house Weingut Knoll. Importantly, he balanced this with time in Santa Barbara, working alongside Adam Tolmach of Ojai Vineyard. In 2008, Graham set out to create his own winery, which today makes some of the Central Coast’s purest expressions of terroir. Rather than highly manipulating his wines, Graham’s wines are crafted with a light touch, meant to be portraits of the soils and climates they come from.